Béibhinn Parsons reckons a 12 noon kick-off is the "perfect time" for a Test match and says Ireland won't be caught napping against Japan.
Scott Bemand’s side open their Women’s Rugby World Cup Pool C campaign against the Sakura XV at Franklin’s Gardens this afternoon (12pm, live on RTÉ), bridging an eight-year gap away from the world stage.
Parsons, whose brace in the recent warm-up defeat to Canada brought her total to 17 tries in 28 caps, is among a number of Sevens players in the squad and says their World Series experience will help to adjust to the earlier-than-normal start.
"I’ve definitely played at an earlier time at Sevens, in Dubai we’re up at 5am having breakfast," said the 23-year-old winger.
"It condenses the morning but that’s the way I like it. You don't have too long to think about the game.
"You are going in really energised at the start of the day. I think it’s the perfect time for a Test game."
As well as an early start, Ireland are targeting a fast start, after conceding two early tries in both of their last two games, the win over Scotland and the loss to Canada.
"We have real leaders, Aoife Dalton is one that makes sure we are all switched on," said the Galway woman.
"Our captains, Edel [McMahon] and Sam [Monaghan].
"We all want to bring our best to this game so it’s about being switched on, knowing your role and getting into the game quickly.
"It is a lot of mental work, the physical work is done by the time you get to the game, it’s how mentally switched on you can be."
Parsons became the youngest ever Ireland international when she made her bow at the age of 16 in 2018.
She’s been in and out of the 15s set-up due to Sevens commitments and a series of injuries, including breaking her leg twice in just over a year.
The Ballinasloe flyer has been in and under the spotlight all throughout her career but insists she is well capable of ignoring the outside noise.
Winger Béibhinn Parsons says it's a 'dream come true' as Ireland get ready for the opening #WRWC2025 clash against Japan #RTERugby #RTESport pic.twitter.com/gGcKVOQsq0
— RTÉ Sport (@RTEsport) August 22, 2025
"The fact we have so much competition in the squad, especially in the back-three, none of that off-field stuff means much," she said ahead of the game, where she'll form a back-three combo with full-back Stacey Flood and Amee-Leigh Costigan.
"It doesn’t matter about your age, it’s all about form and merit. That keeps you grounded.
"There’s no point in [listening] to the outside noise if you want to get selected it’s all about how you are training and what you add to the team.
"That keeps me grounded and I just want to stay moving forward."
Already an Olympian, Parsons, along with all bar Clíodhna Moloney-MacDonald, will make her World Cup debut tomorrow.
"It is the dream," she told RTÉ Sport.
"All throughout my career I’ve just been taking it one match or one campaign at a time.
"To finally make a World Cup feels like the start of my career.
"I know I’ve been around a long time but it feels like we are only getting going.
"I can’t wait to rip into it.
"You don’t want to think of it too much and psyche yourself out but it is a dream come true for me."
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Watch Ireland v Japan in the Rugby World Cup on Sunday from 11.30am on RTÉ2 and RTÉ Player. Follow a live blog on rte.ie/sport and the RTÉ News app. Listen to live radio commentary on 2fm.
